Ramona Under Red Flag Warning Due To Strong Santa Ana Winds

RAMONA, CA — San Diego County remained under a red flag warning Tuesday, as gusty Santa Ana winds and low humidity combined to raise the risk of wildfires in the mountains and inland valleys, and some utility customers had their power shut off as a precaution.

The warning will remain in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday in the mountains and valleys. A high wind warning will also be in effect through 4 p.m. in the mountains and valleys.

Winds out of the east were expected to be between 30 to 40 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 60 mph in the mountains, according to the National Weather Service. The strongest winds will be along the coastal slopes of the mountains into the inland valleys.

"Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines," forecasters said. "Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

Humidity levels will drop to around 10 percent, with poor recovery expected overnight.

"Any fires that develop will spread rapidly," forecasters said. "Outdoor burning should be avoided."

On Sunday, San Diego Gas & Electric warned that 50,483 customers in eastern San Diego County could face public safety power shutoffs from Monday night through Wednesday, depending on the severity of the wind and potential for damage to power lines.

As of Tuesday morning, 15,441 customers were without power, with another 35,042 facing potential shutoffs.

"We recognize how frustrating these conditions and the impacts they have on the service we provide are," the utility said in a statement. "While the last thing any of us at SDG&E want to be telling our customers right now is that we may have to shut off power, catastrophic wildfires have become all too common in California and there's nothing more important to us than your safety and that of our employees."

SDG&E opened drive-thru community resource centers in Descanso, Julian, Potrero, Ramona, Valley Center and Warner Springs. The centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offer access to water, ice, snacks, Wi-Fi, phone and medical device charging, water trucks for livestock and up-to-date information on outages.

Due to possible power outages in the community, schools in Alpine Union School District, Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District and Warner Unified School District were closed Tuesday.

According to the San Diego County Office of Education, Mountain Empire Unified School District schools planned to offer asynchronous learning, where students could work independently and read, watch pre-recorded lessons or do assignments, projects or online activities where power was available.

"School district leadership and the San Diego County Office of Education will continue to monitor the situation and consult with local fire and utility representatives," said Music Watson, a spokesperson for the county's office of education.